New Zealand has joined with Australia and Canada in calling for another pause in fighting between Israel and Hamas.
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has partnered with his Australian and Canadian counterparts in releasing a statement condemning the violence and mourning the innocent lives lost.
In the statement, the trio say they're alarmed by the "diminishing amount of safe space for civilians" in Gaza while also acknowledging Israel's right to defend itself.
"In defending itself, Israel must respect international humanitarian law. Civilians and civilian infrastructure must be protected," the statement said.
"We are alarmed at the diminishing safe space for civilians in Gaza. The price of defeating Hamas cannot be the continuous suffering of all Palestinian civilians."
The trio say they remain "deeply concerned" by the scale of the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and ongoing risks to all Palestinian civilians.
"Safe and unimpeded humanitarian access must be increased and sustained," the statement said.
They noted the success of a recent pause in fighting in which more than 100 hostages were released and where humanitarian aid was fed into the strip.
They're calling for the pause to resume, while urgent international efforts towards a sustainable ceasefire are made.
"This cannot be one-sided. Hamas must release all hostages, stop using Palestinian civilians as human shields, and lay down its arms," the statement said.
"We remain deeply concerned by the scale of the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and ongoing risks to all Palestinian civilians. Safe and unimpeded humanitarian access must be increased and sustained."
They say they're committed to working toward "just and enduring peace" in the form of a two-state solution where Israelis and Palestinians can live securely within internationally recognised borders.
"We support Palestinians' right to self-determination. We oppose the forcible displacement of Palestinians from Gaza, the re-occupation of Gaza, any reduction in territory, and any use of siege or blockade," the statement said.
"We emphasize that Gaza must no longer be used as a platform for terrorism. We reaffirm that settlements are illegal under international law. Settlements and settler violence are serious obstacles to a negotiated two-state solution."
They say there is no role for Hamas in the future government of Gaza.
"We remain concerned about the impact of the conflict spilling across the region and urge all governments in the region to work towards containing the conflict. We call on the Houthis to cease immediately their attacks on international shipping and crew operating in the Red Sea," the statement said.
"We condemn rising antisemitism, Islamophobia, and anti-Arab sentiment in our countries and around the world and remain firmly committed to combatting prejudice, hatred, and violent extremism."
